Mental Health Days for Students
The issue of mental health has gained more attention in recent years, particularly among high school students who are always under strain from their personal obligations, extracurricular activities, and academic obligations. Because of this, some schools have begun to let students take mental health days, which are excused absences intended to support students’ emotional health, rest, and recuperation. Important considerations on how schools should assist students’ mental health are brought up by this expanding trend. I interviewed kids at my school to learn more about their thoughts on this topic, including whether or not mental health days should be permitted, how these days would impact their wellbeing and performance, and what extra help they think schools ought to offer.
When I asked a couple of students about whether or not students should be allowed to take mental health days I asked Demetra and she stated “I believe that sometimes students really need a break”. Sometimes everything just piles up, making it seem impossible to concentrate on some days or even get out of bed. Why shouldn’t we be able to take sick days for mental health as well as physical health? Teenagers’ increasing awareness that physical and mental health are equally crucial to total wellbeing is reflected in her response
I questioned how taking a mental health day may impact a student’s academic performance or emotional equilibrium, going beyond the straightforward issue of whether or not such days should be permitted. Tsubasa, a sophomore who is on the track team balancing track and being a straight A student states “I find that occasionally taking a mental health day helps me recover better”. Him as a student-athlete at a high level demonstrates that in order to do well academically you need that rest and as our school is very sports tied that is a big helping factor to take into question if staff faculty with the power of changing and allowing this should be mentioned.
In summary, mental health days are an important step in acknowledging the actual challenges that kids confront and are not merely a fad. These days can have a significant impact on student’s academic and emotional lives, as Demetra and Tsubasa showed us. In order for the policy to be effective schools need to do more than just allow for excused absences they also need to add a culture that values speaking about how we are mentally feeling from day to day basis.
